by Richard Lynn Livesay
Member since:
April 2, 2009

Gnothi Seauton a Decuain for Mindful Poetry April 24,2012

April 24, 2012 02:21 PM UTC (Updated: April 24, 2012 04:59 PM UTC)
views: 0 | 10 people recommend this | comments: 25

 

rhyme scheme: a b a bb c b c c c

Gnōthi seauton is Greek for “Know Thyself”

What is the essence of our existence?

Intuition reveals “myself”

Can this knowledge overcome resistance?

Understand our strength’s consistence

Hear that Divine madness beyond the thought

Temper desire with a loving distance

 We become different when compassion is sought

We become our art when our love is caught

Mystery becomes a gift, carefully wrought

Comments: 25

KittyKutabare aka Candy Pole Apr 24, 2012, 2:40pm UTC
fantastically cerebrally delicious!!!~

Thanks for sharing in the Triple Name Club.
KittyKutabare aka Candy Pole Apr 24, 2012, 2:44pm UTC
Featured in the Triple Name Club.
Richard Lynn Livesay Apr 24, 2012, 2:59pm UTC
the Candy Lady has honored me...so glad you liked. Thank you for the feature
Ann Marcaida Apr 24, 2012, 3:27pm UTC
This is a set set of instruction for living. Excellent writing, but I'm really distracted by the font colors. (It might help if you stuck to just one colored font). Also, I feel a stanza break after line 4, although I'm guessing that the form doesn't allow that.

Thanks for sharing with Gather's Luminous Writers and Artists. Featured.
Richard Lynn Livesay Apr 24, 2012, 5:09pm UTC
I agree...the example, Susan gave had colors but is not necessary
all the examples I saw were continuous. I was reading some of Socrates' dialogues and decided to be plato and interpret...good luck doing a form poem with that...thanks for feature...and agree about the line break but the adherence to form again ( iambic pentameter) + rhyme)...restricts
ʚϊɞ Carol ʚϊɞ Apr 24, 2012, 3:33pm UTC
..."We become different when compassion is sought". Interesting line Richard.

Now featured at The Surreal Circus.
Richard Lynn Livesay Apr 24, 2012, 5:09pm UTC
bless you, Carol
Kathryn Flynn Apr 24, 2012, 4:07pm UTC
wisdom!
Richard Lynn Livesay Apr 24, 2012, 5:10pm UTC
from the archives of Socrates...thanks, Kathryn
A. F. Stewart Apr 24, 2012, 4:47pm UTC
A fabulous poem.
Richard Lynn Livesay Apr 24, 2012, 5:10pm UTC
so kind, thanks,AF
Katryn D. Apr 24, 2012, 9:04pm UTC
I minored in philosophy...loved this poem :)
Richard Lynn Livesay Apr 24, 2012, 10:56pm UTC
It is one of my passions, too
elizabeth evans Apr 24, 2012, 9:04pm UTC
Interpreting the Master one becomes enlightened.
Richard Lynn Livesay Apr 24, 2012, 10:57pm UTC
and wisdom becomes a priceless jewel
JOHN BECK Apr 24, 2012, 11:54pm UTC
Well done, Richard.
Richard Lynn Livesay Apr 25, 2012, 5:08am UTC
thank you, John
Marianne K. Apr 25, 2012, 4:32am UTC
Love the essence of the poem, Richard. Wisdom is to be desired more than gold and silver.

I also love this quote by John Stott, which balances truth with love, and love with truth...
surely that's what wisdom is made of.

"Our love grows soft if it is not strengthened by truth, and our truth grows hard if it is not softened by love."
Irina Dimitric Apr 25, 2012, 4:37am UTC
Very nice quote.
Richard Lynn Livesay Apr 25, 2012, 5:41am UTC
Thank you for the beautiful comment and quotes...and with all your knowledge, get understanding"

"..."the lover is always getting lost, the intellectual runs away, afraid of drowning; the whole business of love is to drown in the sea." Rumi
Marianne K. Apr 25, 2012, 3:48pm UTC
Thank you, Richard. I would rather drown in love, though...in a sea of love?
Irina Dimitric Apr 25, 2012, 4:35am UTC
Love philosophy...unfortunatelly haven't done enough reading; it may not to be too late, if I live a bit longer.
Irina Dimitric Apr 25, 2012, 4:40am UTC
Your poem is rich with wisdom. To execute these thoughts in this difficult form shows what a great poet you are.
Richard Lynn Livesay Apr 25, 2012, 5:45am UTC
a gift is no good without giving it away...bless you, Irina and Marianne
Marianne K. Apr 25, 2012, 3:50pm UTC
...and bless you, Richard.

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